“Why I Named My Book Collection Ink”An Interview With Tolu Ogunleye “Drtonez”By Mariam Adebayo

When a writer releases a book, it is a statement. When a writer releases a collection, it is a legacy taking shape. For Tolu Ogunleye, widely known as Drtonez, his five-book collection titled “Ink” “…marks a defining moment in his journey as a Cultural Architect, Curator, Music Executive, and Author, shaping global conversations about Art, Culture, creativity and artistic futures.” In this interview, he shares why this collection matters and what “Ink” truly represents.

Q: “Ink” is a powerful and intriguing title for a book collection. Why that choice?

Tolu Ogunleye: Ink is the foundation of permanence. Before digital screens and streaming platforms, before algorithms and artificial intelligence, stories and ideas were first recorded in ink. I wanted a title that reminds us that creativity begins with intention, with a mark. Ink represents documentation, legacy, and memory. Everything we wish to preserve must be written. Ink, for me, is a commitment to record the ideas that shape art, culture, and society.

Q: Your books explore psychology, culture, creativity, and the future of artistic expression. How does Ink connect all five titles?

Drtonez: Ink is not about the books being similar. It is about the mind behind them. Each book stands alone and speaks to a different dimension of the creative ecosystem. Psychologies of Art Consumption investigates how people emotionally and mentally respond to art. Art Beyond Borders speaks to culture and movement. The Modern Patron focuses on those who fund creativity. Creative Futures explores artistic innovation and possibilities. We All Belong to the Stage is a human story. Ink is the thread that holds them together because they are all born from reflection and lived experience.

Q: What personal experience contributed most to the decision to create this collection?

Drtonez: Years ago, I realised African stories are often told only after they happen, not while they are being made. I wanted to change that. My work in music, festivals, cultural events, and academic research taught me that ideas disappear if we leave them undocumented. Ink is my answer to that. It is my way of writing as history unfolds instead of waiting for someone else to write it later.

Q: These books already attract attention in academic and creative circles. Who did you write them for first?

Drtonez: I write for three audiences at the same time. First, for creatives who need language to understand their own journey. Second, for policymakers and cultural leaders who shape structures around the arts. And third, for scholars who will use our stories to teach future generations. But anyone who loves art, music, and culture can read Ink and find themselves somewhere inside it.

Q: What does the future hold for the Ink collection?

Drtonez: Ink is still growing. This is not the final chapter. More books are coming. New ideas will be added. Ink is not a bookshelf. It is a movement of thought. I want young creatives to see that their stories deserve to be written, not just performed.

Q: Finally, what does Ink mean to you as a person, beyond your professional identity?

Drtonez: Ink is courage. Ink is vulnerability. Ink is the decision to speak even when silence would be easier. When I put Ink on these books, I was telling myself: “Your voice is worth keeping.”

For a man known for curating sound, culture, and artistic expression, it is striking that his greatest instrument yet may be the pen. Through Ink, Tolu Ogunleye is not only documenting the creative world, he is reshaping how we think about it.

Interview by Mariam Adebayo